From Charles Dickens’ nineteenth century work Bleak House to modern classics like the Divergent series, the English language is full of great novels written in the present tense. If you are working on your first book or first novel, writing in the present tense can be a great way to hook readers and create suspense. Choosing between different verb tenses is one of the most important decisions you can make when writing the first draft of a fiction novel or short story; the present tense can give your writing an unmatched sense of immediacy.

These tips from our founder and director Anna Davis will help you craft a compelling first page and instantly capture the imagination of your reader.

Henry David Thoreau did not consider his time on Walden Pond a writing retreat, per-se. He was retreating from all of life, and he wrote about how brilliant that was. Despite his assured and unrema…

Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you walk it," he says.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Or at least be happier whilst trying! This is Nathan's guide to novel writing in 7 easy (ish!) steps. Nathan won the Costa Book Prize in 2013 with his debut novel, The Shock Of The Fall. It has been translated into 27 languages. Nathan worked part time as a mental health nurse in Bristol and his book’s narrator is a 19 year old boy with schizophrenia. He graduated from Bath Spa University in 2010 with an MA in Creative Writing and is now a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Some books grab you right from the start.

The author of Dead Wind discusses her writing process and how she switched from a stand-alone book to a series

A free 100 day fiction writing course by podcast. Learn to write more, better and happier. From award-winning author Tim Clare.

In Into the Woods and on his online courses John Yorke recommends asking 10 questions to check you've got your story straight – read them here.

The online writing group, writing workshop, and writing community where writers get quality critiques and feedback on their writing.

As a writer and teacher of memoir, I get asked one question above many: how do you navigate the tricky terrain of writing about family? I have many answers to this question, as I gave it a lot of careful thought when writing Sins of My Father. I cleared the book with those close family […]

This "rule" is neither a CIA psyop nor does it mean what some critics think

Learn to write engaging short fiction by ditching conflicts and resolutions

I realized my book could focus on what I cared about most

Get an accountant, abstain from sex and similes, cut, rewrite, then cut and rewrite again – if all else fails, pray. Inspired by Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing, we asked authors for their personal dos and don'ts.

When I was in graduate school for my MFA, I had lunch with my friend John, who was studying industrial psychology across campus. He was telling me how he liked writing, but he had a real block beca…

Seven things to help you move forward even when you need to know how to write a book when you have no idea what you're doing.

Sean Willson is a software engineering manager with a weakness for science fiction. In a previous blog post, the author of six books shared how he finds time to write despite having a full-time job and family. Today, Sean explains how he manages his writing process (almost) exclusively in Ulysses.

There is nothing more sustaining to long-term creative work than time and space – and these things cost money

Hey Week 5 and you’re hitting the hump aren’t you? I can feel it. I get to this point also. It’s where the adrenaline of the initial idea is wearing off and you’re starting to find conjuring drama difficult and writing is hard and it’s just easier to muck about on the internet, and the book you’re reading is making you think, I am terrible, everything I do is terrible, I’ll never be as good as this, and you’re ready to junk it in.

How long does it take to write a book? Stephen King says writing a book should take no more than three months—and this author discovered he's right.

President Abraham Lincoln was a big fan: “it’s a very useful little chap.”